Failed tyre tread penetrated wing of Jetstar 787-8

A Jetstar Boeing 787-8 suffered problems to its left wing and flap program immediately after 1 of its main landing gear tyres delaminated while using off from Singapore Changi International airport on 13 Could.

As the aircraft, registered VH-VKA, was climbing by way of 3,000ft enroute to Melbourne, the captain set the aircraft’s flap setting to flaps one. That activated a ‘Flaps Drive’ caution alert, indicating a fault with the program.

In reaction, the crew notified air targeted visitors management and levelled off at six,000ft to full a fault checklist. Thereafter, a determination was made to return to Singapore.

The aircraft landed properly and taxied to the gate escorted by crisis company vehicles. In advance of the flight crew left the aircraft, an engineering staff members member suggested that they observed problems to the left wing. Ground staff members meanwhile noted that there was particles on the runway the aircraft had taken off from.

The Australian Transport Protection Bureau (ATSB) says that assessment of the aircraft’s main landing gear showed that the tread on 1 of the tyres had delaminated, penetrated the left under-wing panel, and broke a flap torque tube, triggering the warning.

“The delamination on choose-off possible occurred at the southern close of the runway, when the tyre was at high velocity, which provided adequate strength for the tread to penetrate the left under wing panel and split a flap torque tube,” it adds.

Producer Michelin examined the failed tyre, and concluded that the tread had been undercut because of to the aircraft generally running on grooved runways.

Next the incident, Jetstar issued notices to engineers and pilots highlighting the need to have to shell out shut notice to the shoulder regions of the tyres throughout preflight inspections to assistance detect any extreme wear.

In its protection message, the ATSB commended Jetstar’s crew for their managing of the scenario.

“While the condition of the tyre and the correct fault with the flaps have been mysterious to the flight crew at the time of their determination-building, this event highlights the value of next failure management strategies.”